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“Holy shit,” Bryce muttered into my hair, and I cried into his chest, staining his shirt with tears.
“That was the catalyst; the start of it all. Nothing was ever the same, and I was never the same.” I wipe my eyes and turn back towards Bryce. “If you don’t mind, I would like to go back and have a couple shots now, please.”
“Okay, let’s go get you those shots.” Bryce stood up and held out his hand.
We walk back to the table, hand in hand, with me tucked into his side. I don’t know how long he’ll be around for, but I’m going to at least enjoy him while I can. Any day now, he might turn tail and run. Realize I’m a mess. How much of a travesty I am.
I’m not special or important. I’m the joke. Always the joke.
Chapter 9
Katrina
Ugh.My head feels like its being ripped apart from the inside out. I can’t even get enough energy to open my eyes yet. Even with my eyes closed, the light filtering into my room hurts my head. My mouth feels like I swallowed cotton balls and my stomach is rolling. Tequila. It’s definitely the tequila.
I groan, reach down under the blanket, realizing I’m in a t-shirt and flannel pajama bottoms. I don’t remember getting dressed last night at all. In fact, I don’t even remember getting home. How did I get home? At that moment, I feel movement in the bed next to me. My eyes fly open, and I turn my head to see who it is.
Bryce. It’s Bryce.
Bryce is in my bed with no shirt. What did I do? Oh, my God, did we … no way, that’s impossible. My pajama pants are on, but who put them on? God, I hope it wasn’t him. I hesitantly pull up the covers. He is in his pajama pants too. I internally sigh with relief. Okay, at least he’s half dressed.
Also, he looks amazing. Wow, I can stare at that perfection all day and night. He’s sexy as fuck. Now that he’s shirtless, I can see the definition in him that’s only slightly hidden when he’s fully dressed. Holy hell, he is perfection all the way down to the V that leads to …Stop, Kat. Mind. Gutter. Out.
Ok, then on to the next problem I need to solve. How the hell did I get dressed? Or undressed? I can’t even remember if I was wearing my cute bra and panty set last night. I pull up my pants to see that I have on a black thong. My head falls back against the pillow. Well, at least I’m in something cute, but shit, he probably saw my ass.
My head is pounding. What happened last night? I lift my hand to my head and groan again. There is a thrash metal band playing inside my head. I’m sure of it.
“Are you all right?” A hoarse voice coming from man next to me stirs me from my thoughts.
“No. Not at all. Bryce, what happened? And, no offense, but how are you in my bed? Or better yet, why?” I turn to face him. Even first thing in the morning, this man is incredibly handsome. His sharp jaw line is covered in stubble. His hair is a little messed. Whereas I probably look like a raccoon with bed head right now. I know I still have makeup on; I can feel the globs under my eyes.
“Tequila. Tequila happened. You all were very drunk. I dropped Austin and Vicki off at his place to sleep it off, and I brought you back here.” He runs his hand through his hair, just making him drip with more sex appeal than before. Bryce is in my bed. I shake my head, still thinking this is some sort of dream.
“Okay, sounds great. How in the world did I end up in my pajamas? How did you end up in yours?” Not sure if I want to hear the answer, I close my eyes and silently pray.
He gives me a deadpan look. “I put you in them.”
“Wait, why? Why didn’t you just leave me in the clothes I was in?” My eyes go wide, and my voice shakes. I shoot up in bed, utterly embarrassed.
“Because they were a mess. You spilled a drink on yourself, and I didn’t want you sleeping in that. I didn’t look at anything. I did my best to keep my eyes closed, and I dressed you. Promise.” He holds up his hand like he’s swearing on the Bible.
I feel myself flush. Just the thought of him seeing me naked … Ugh, why me? I put my head in my hands and rub my face. I forget I’m still wearing makeup, so now I probably look like I came out of a horror film.
“Okay, but why are you sleeping here in my bed?” I turn towards him again, eyes blazing.
“That is a simple answer, Kitty Kat. You asked me to.” He gives me a devious grin.
“I … I … No way.” Is he serious?
“You asked me to. I assure you, nothing happened. Once I got you dressed, you passed right out. I went up to my apartment, changed, and came back down. I would have slept here even if you hadn’t asked, just so I could keep an eye on you.” He pauses and looks at me. “You drank a lot last night, Kat. I just wanted to keep you safe.”
My mouth drops open. I can’t believe it. Besides my parents and Vicki, no one ever really cared about my wellbeing before.
“T-thank you.” Tears well up in my eyes, and I fight to hold them back.
He smirks and nudges me on the arm. “That’s what friends are for, Kat. Now, I’m starving, and I’m sure you are too. If not, you still need to eat to help balance you out from last night. Go do whatever it is you women do in the morning, and I’ll make you food.”
There’s no way any of this is real. I must still be in some alcohol-induced dream. This is totally a dream. Bryce walks out to the kitchen, shirtless, and I can hear him as he digs through my refrigerator to find stuff for breakfast.